‘Walking on Sunshine’ during the dog days of Summer for people living with diabetes may require a few special precautions  for you to shine.

Extreme heat is a stress on the body, and any stress can release hormones that will raise blood sugar levels, says Deena Adimoolam, MD, assistant professor of medicine, endocrinology, diabetes, and bone disease at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.

If you find it’s too hot and your blood sugar is fluctuating, stay inside where it’s cool. That may mean a trip to the spa, mall or the movie theater if your home isn’t air-conditioned.

“People with chronic diseases like diabetes as well as people taking certain medications, including heart disease medications and diuretics, which are often used to treat complications of diabetes, are at increased risk of experiencing difficulties in the heat, even though they may not be aware of it,” says Catherine Carver, M.S., A.N.P., C.D.E, Director of Educational Services at Joslin Clinic. 

Come summer, you may be tempted to don flip-flops or sandals or even walk barefoot. But it’s important that you protect your feet when you have diabetes. “My suggestion is to find some really comfortable footwear that is breathable,”said Joanne Rinker, MS, RD, CDE, LDN, senior director for community health improvement for Population Health Improvement Partners in North Carolina and a spokesperson for the American Association of Diabetes Educators as reported in Everyday Health. READ MORE. 

What goes better with sun-kissed skin than an impossibly gorgeous glow? Make the most of your summer beauty and get a lit-from-within air with the best bronzers, shimmery shadows, hair highlighters and last, but not least, the perfect lip gloss.

Here are some of our Summertime Favorites to help you ‘GLAM MORE FEAR LESS’ during the steamy summer days:

UV Atmospheric Light Meter: This UV meter detects both atmospheric UV-A and UV-B light (ranging from 400 nm to 280 nm) and displays the current atmospheric UV index.

Students then can relate this numerical index to our color changing beads or nail polish: how dark the color or how quick the change. Note: the meter is not sensitive to the rather narrow frequency of UV light emitted from artificial sources such as a UV flashlight or UV lamp. $35.18 BUY NOW

DIVABETIC SUMMERTIME TIP: Store your blood glucose meter, strips and insulin in a cool, dry place. Do not store insulin in extreme temperatures. Never store insulin in the freezer, in direct sunlight, in the car or the car’s glove compartment. GET ADVICE

Watermelon Shark Decorative Server: Add some jaw-dropping, focus-grabbing fun to your buffet table with this whimsical ceramic shark server. Crafted of Dolomite with the look of carved watermelon, it’s perfect for melon balls, other fruit and veggies. Hand wash. 8 3/4″L x 6 1/4W” x 7 3/4″H. $14.99 BUY NOW

DIVABETIC SUMMMERTIME TIP: Watch for signs of heat exhaustion, especially if you are working or exercising outdoors. People with diabetes and other chronic diseases like heart disease are more susceptible to overheating. Symptoms include: feeling dizzy or fainting; sweating excessively; muscle cramps; skin that is cold or clammy; headaches; rapid heartbeat and/or nausea. GET ADVICE

Did you know that the pineapple is recognized as a traditional expression of “welcome” throughout the South and in areas along the Eastern Seaboard?

Appearing on all sorts of décor – from door knockers to quilts and including the lapel of my (Mr. Divabetic’s)  World Famous Fruit Suit  – the fruit symbolizes those intangible assets we appreciate in a home: warmth, welcome, friendship and hospitality.Bigmouth Pineapple Pool Float  $14.99 BUY NOW

DIVABETIC SUMMERTIME TIP: Know the signs of low blood sugar. If you’re in the heat and feel lightheaded or are having muscle aches or general fatigue, it’s time to come indoors and get out of the heat.

DIVABETIC SUMMERTIME TIP: Keep hydrated. Dehydration, or the loss of body fluids, can happen on these very hot summer days whether you have diabetes or not. If you have diabetes, dehydration also can occur when blood glucose is not under control. GET ADVICE 

Fashion Designers Dolce&Gabbana teamed up with Smeg to design a eye catching line of toasters, citrus juicers, coffee machines, kettles, blenders, stand mixers and slow juicers. All these products are decorated with reflective interpretations of Sicilian folklore. Lemons, prickly pears, and bright red cherries are just a selection of Sicilian decorations that are framed in triangular motifs known as crocchi, that decorate these small appliances. Together with crocchi, the appliances are covered in delicate floral motifs and images of the enthralling Mount Etna, surrounded by ornamental friezes, and decorative acanthus leaves. All these themes and decorative symbols are intrinsically tied to Sicily and the important aspects of the aesthetic of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana.

DIVABETIC SUMMERTIME TIP: Exercise early or late. The hottest and sunniest part of the day is between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Schedule your outdoor exercise before or after these hours when it’s not so hot.

Busy USA Best-Selling Author, Tonya Kappes somehow manages to squeeze in time to co-star in the upcoming Mister Divabetic Mystery entitled Gypsies, Tramps  & Peas in September between writing her own popular mysteries. Check out two of Tonya’s newest books: A Ghostly Secret: Book 7 in A Ghostly Southern Mystery Series ( Emma Lee learns real fast that someone doesn’t want her to snoop around the cold case. Can she help Betsy cross over and get Mr. Whiskers cross the Rainbow Bridge before someone helps Emma Lee check out from the living?) and  Ax To Grind: Book Three in the Kenni Lowry Mystery Series (Southerners keep their secrets swept under the rug, but what happens when that rug goes up for sale?) On sale September 19, 2017

DIVABETIC SUMMERTIME TIP: Keeping your hair healthy and gorgeous all summer long, despite the heat and humidity, can be challenging. Beauty blogger Maria Barillaro shares her favorite product picks with us so you can have gorgeous hair no matter how high the mercury soars READ MORE

If you have diabetes and have any questions about coping with heat or other extreme weather conditions, consult with your medical team.

Join us for the broadcast of our newest Mister Divabetic Mister entitled “Gypsies, Tramps and Peas” on Tuesday, September 12, 2017, 6 -7 PM, EST.

Diabetes advocate turned reluctant amateur sleuth, Mr. Divabetic finally takes the plunge and ventures into a new career as a healthy caterer. With the help of his co-workers and nosy Italian mother, he heads for Coney Island to cater his first party aboard a yacht for his former swim coach, Ted Rockow. But his nautical soiree quickly capsizes when the guest of honor is found swimming with the fishes. What it an accident or foul play? Now Mr. Divabetic’s grilling Burlesque dancers, a lifeguard lothario and some sequined mermaids, all intent on keeping their secrets buried deep within the sand. Can Mr. Divabetic prove Coach’s death was a murder, not an accident? Or will he end up floating out to sea?

Will he sink or swim? Tune in to find out if he can solve the murder of his former swim coach with the help of his friends, some sassy mermaids and a cooky fortune teller. Along the way to revealing the identity of the murderer he uncovers expert tips for diabetes self-care during the Summer months.

USA Today Best-Selling Author, Tonya Kappes, Asha Brown, Catherine Schuller, Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’, Seveda Williams, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, MaryAnn Horst Nicolay, Mama Rose Marie and Poet Lorraine Brooks help the fruit suit clad sleuth in this seaside adventure. Healthy delicious recipes provided by Chef Robert Lewis and Stacey Harris aka ‘The Diabetic Pastry Chef’.

This year’s mystery podcast features music from the original cast recording of ‘Gypsy’ courtesy of SONY Music.

Join the show! Get the full script for ‘Gypsies, Tramps & Peas’ and read along as our cast performs. Please e-mail: mrdvabetic@gmail.com